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League Newsletter 19/05
Sponsored by The Right Move Abroad
CHESHIRE COUNTY
CRICKET LEAGUE
2008 Newsletter issue 5: May 17 - 18
Whittaker takes Alderley back to top
ALDERLEY Edged their way back to pole position in the ECB Premier League with a thrilling last over home victory against Macclesfield thanks to a fine all-round performance from Cheshire's Jason Whittaker.
On a day when most matches lost overs to mid-day drizzle, Macclesfield opted to bat first and were bowled out for 169, Jason Knight 43, while Whittaker returned a good-looking 6-39 off 19 accurate overs. Alderley lost wickets regularly in reply with Mark Currie (37) top-scoring against Craig Melrose (5-80) and Barney Cutbill (3-67). But Whittaker remained steadfast and an unbeaten 37 saw his side home by two wickets with one ball to spare ... and a handsome 25 points return.
Bowdon's 100 per cent record was spoiled when their key fixture against champions Oulton Park at South Downs Road ended prematurely in bad light. In an 80 overs match, Oulton were put in and declared on 175-6, Nathan Dumelow 51, Danny Leech 41, Adam Syddall 3-77. Bowdon had reached a cautious 63-2, Adam Crozier 20 not out, when the umpires called a halt with 25 overs left in the locker.
Third successive century
Set to return home before the end of May to take up a new first-class contract with Queensland, Nantwich's prolific left-hander Glen Batticciotto hit his third successive century in a 62 runs victory over Chester Boughton Hall at Whitehouse Lane. He scored116 out and Rob Cook-Sievewright 41 in a tally of 217, the evergreen Alex Kegg taking 6-60. Chester replied with 155 all out, Jim Gillson 58, Nigel Davies 4-36, Batticciotto 3-46. The Aussie, who has had trials for Essex and Lancashire on previous visits to the UK, has now scored 467 runs in five innings at an average of 155.60, apart from taking 12 wickets.
Widnes had the better of a drawn game at Toft which lost 40 overs to rain, batting first to post 174-7, Tony Hurdley 53, Josh Bean 5-62. Toft had their last pair at the crease on 158-9 when time was up, Adam Carolan 52, Dan Pascoe 4-53. Umpire Rick Davis, now fully recovered from a hospital stint reports that this match was a delight with both captains - Andy Bones and Ian Spencer - and their teams showing what the Spirit of Cricket realty means. Rick said: "It was fitting that every result was possible when the last over started".
Bottom of the table Heaton Mersey put up their best performance yet and came near to beating Hyde at The Heatons. Hyde posted 205-9 in 45 overs, James Duffy 87, Danny Berry 54, including a 30 runs blast off the final over. Hassan Rashid 4-33. With 75 from Matthew Norbury, Mersey had a real go for the runs and fell only 10 short at 196-6.
Considering the bad weather which blanketed the county and south Lancashire around mid-day it was surprising that the only match cancelled was Urmston versus Neston.
PICK OF WEEEK. Batting - Glen Batticciotto (Nantwich) 116 v Chester; Bowling - Jason Whittaker (Alderley Edge) 6-39 v Macclesfield.
May 17 / 18 Newsletter ......2
Oxton held, but stay top in Division l
THERE was a cracking finish to the First Division Match of the Day at Didsbury, who emerged with a 15 - 11 points draw against Oxton.
After four overs lost to rain, Didsbury were bowled out for 196, D. Morgan and J. Mason both 37, Nick Anderson 35, Tom Pearson 6-46, Andy Birley 3-49. With Chris Davies, 57 and Anthony Birley, 52 both batting well, Oxton got tantalisingly close at 193-9 by the close, John Fawcett 4-29.
Warrington stay second despite their ho
